February 16, 2011

Pic of the day: Martin Itjen Wharf ad

(Click image to enlarge)

To advertise his Skagway bus tour in the 1940s, Martin Itjen built a wooden sign shaped like his bus and placed it on the end of one of the old unused wharves as shown in the above postcard. The wharf is possibly the Juneau Company Wharf where Soapy met his demise.

In the bus windows are carnitures of the Soap Gang. A large taxidermied bear appears to be waving to incoming ships.

I don't know about the bear or the ad, but the real bus does still exist! It was purchased along with the saloon building by the National Park Service and will be on display at the Parlor once restoration is complete.

I rode in that bus in the 1977 july 4 parade with my father, mother and brother. Also with us were my uncle, aunt, and cousin. Oh, what a time that was. There are photographs of the bus HERE.

Search This Blog

Loading...

Soapy's on Facebook!

Jefferson R. Smith

Alias Soapy Smith(1860-1898)

Welcome

Welcome to the history blog of the Soapy Smith Preservation Trust and Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith. This site is an extension of my book, Alias Soapy Smith, the Life and Death of a Scoundrel, with the purpose of publishing new research, correcting mistakes and spotlight items of interest regarding American bad man, Jefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith. Comments and questions are welcome.

How to become a "follower": Easy instructions

Click the blue box below that reads, "Join this site" and follow the directions.

OR click HERE to see easy to follow instructions on how to become a "follower." It's free and there's no spam.

Follow this blog. Click the blue box!

Follow by email

Receive our Newsletter!

JOIN BELOW

What is Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith?

Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith is for the more interested fans and family. Membership is free and you receive the newsletter with the most up-to-date information, along with reminders of important dates and events. No salesman will visit your door, or your computer.

Join Friends of Bad Man Soapy Smith here!

Click image to join

New Friendsof Soapy Smith

*J. Thompson (join 11/11/16): "Resident of Creede, CO."

*Jim Ayres (join 11/11/16): "We love creede and it's history. Have close friends living there that we visit often."

*Cam Cogsdill (join 09/12/16): "To learn more information. I own one of Soapy's guns and original gamblers boxes."

*Howard Cook (join 01/25/16): "I saw Soapy on AHC and was fascinated by his dual personality both generous and grifter."

*CarolAnn Mckinney (join 01/23/16): "I love the old west."

*Barbara Van Meter (join 01/14/16): "I grew up hearimg stories about Soapy and always have been interested in his life."

*Travis Martin (join 09/15/15): "I became fascinated by him while reading an autobiography by a distant family member of mine, who arrived in Skagway shortly after Soapy was killed. I read his Wiki article and I want to know more! Specifically about his motives."